This month, we are delighted to shine the spotlight on Arun Tiwari, a poet, writer, and passionate advocate for social, political, and humanitarian values. Arun’s latest poetry collection, Ghu Ghu Karte Ghugghu, is a deeply personal and reflective work that captures the essence of a tumultuous era. The collection resonates with the socio-political challenges of recent years, offering readers not just poetry, but a window into the heart of a writer who witnessed and experienced the raw realities of life, struggle, and resistance.
A Poetic Journey Through Turbulent Times
In Ghu Ghu Karte Ghugghu, Arun Tiwari takes a bold step forward in his poetic career, building on his earlier works like Kavya Arunoday (2015) and Amritatva: The Poetic Form of the Gita (2017). This collection, however, is more than just a continuation—it is a reflection of the poet’s evolution during a period of personal introspection and societal upheaval. The poems, each paired with its writing date, offer readers a clear sense of the historical and emotional context in which they were penned. From the bleak images of the pandemic to the chilling silences imposed by threats to free speech, Arun’s poetry emerges as a testimony to a period of deep political and social turbulence.
The collection is not merely a response to external crises but also a product of Arun’s own retreat into solitude. After years of public engagement, he stepped back to focus on personal growth, spending time in introspection, studying yoga, meditation, and spirituality. This period of retreat allowed Arun to reconnect with his inner self and cultivate a deeper understanding of the world around him, which is reflected in the poetic rhythm and structure of his work.
A Poet With a Purpose
Arun’s writing is driven by a sense of duty, a commitment to truth, and a deep empathy for the struggles of the common person. His poems don’t just soothe the soul; they challenge it. They are born out of a suffocating need to speak the truth in times when silence might seem safer. As Arun shares in his reflections, “These poems arose from a sense of suffocation when words became essential.” He writes with a deep sense of responsibility towards the democratic and humanitarian values that he holds dear. Whether addressing the laborers’ suffering during the pandemic or the grim realities of loss, Arun’s poems reflect a profound commitment to the cause of human dignity, equality, and freedom.
The collection also captures the feeling of living under a microscope—where every dissenting voice is scrutinized, and every act of resistance is met with insult or threat. In a time when free speech is often stifled, Arun’s poems become a rebellion of their own, affirming the importance of individual expression in the face of adversity. He writes with courage, unafraid to face the harsh realities of the world, even if they paint a grim picture. Yet, amid the bleakness, his poems offer a glimmer of hope—anchored in values of solidarity, love, and fraternity.
A Diverse Background, A Unified Voice
Born on August 15, 1994, in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, Arun Tiwari was drawn to writing at a young age. Despite his academic background in Computer Science from Mumbai University and his professional work as a software developer, Arun’s true calling lies in poetry and literature. His creative journey began almost 15 years ago, when he started writing as a means of exploring and expressing his thoughts on social and political issues.
Arun’s work extends beyond just writing. He has actively participated in local literary gatherings, received recognition from various social and cultural organizations, and has had his poetry recorded. What sets Arun apart is not only his ability to write with depth and emotional resonance but also his commitment to constant self-improvement. He continues to seek guidance from senior poets, pushing himself to refine his craft and expand his literary horizons.
The Road Ahead
While Arun had not initially planned to publish Ghu Ghu Karte Ghugghu, a friend’s suggestion prompted him to revisit the collection, and now it stands as a testament to the poet’s journey through a volatile world. Arun’s writing is an invitation to the reader to look beyond the surface and engage with the deeper, often unsettling truths of our time. His unique perspective, shaped by both personal and societal experiences, offers a voice that is at once tender and tough, reflective and rebellious.
As he continues to explore the intersections of life, politics, and humanity through his poetry, we look forward to seeing more of Arun Tiwari’s impactful work. His commitment to speaking truth to power, to championing the voiceless, and to championing the values of democracy and equality promises to make him a defining voice in contemporary Hindi literature.
Congratulations, Arun, on your continued success as a poet and writer. We look forward to witnessing your literary journey unfold with every new word, every new verse, and every new truth you bring to light.
Title: Ghu Ghu Karte Ghugghu
Author: Arun Tiwari
Publisher: Astitva Prakashan, 2024
Order Book: Amazon Link
